People and Politics: Political Parties

Third Parties

The American system is firmly a two-party system. That however doesn't mean that the Democrats and Republicans are the only political parties. Third parties play an important role in American politics. While the two major parties focus on getting their candidates elected, third parties focus attention on issues the two major parties have ignored in favor of the status quo. For example, Ross Perot used his third party candidacy for the presidency to highlight the growing federal deficit and ultimately forced the major parties to act to reduce federal spending and the federal deficit.

Click on the images below to learn more about third parties in American history and how they have influenced American public policy by giving voice to discontent among significant numbers of voters.

The Green Party

Wind turbines offer a clean energy source. The Green Party believes that a healthy and sustainable environment should be our nations focus. Through legislation and grassroots action, the Green Party hopes to sponsor more clean energy solutions such as wind turbines, solar power, and other sustainable energy sources. Ralph Nader, a well known consumer and environmental rights activist and humanitarian, later joined forces with the group hoping to gain the presidency without taking corporate sponsorship.

The Reform Party

Reform Party leader Ross Perot speaks at a military function in 2007. Although it has been over ten years since Perot started the Reform Party and made a bid for the presidency, Mr. Perot is still a popular cultural icon of change.

Ross Perot standing behind a podium as a guest speaker at a military function in 2007.

The Libertarian Party

Libertarian presidential candidate, Bob Barr, received over a half million votes in the 2008 election. The Libertarian platform supports small government and non-intervention in personal and business affairs. The party does not believe in welfare or other forms of public assistance.

Attorney and 2008 Libertarian candidate for presidency, Bob Barr, stands beside a United States flag.

The American Independent Party

The American Independent Party, not to be confused with an "independent" candidate, chose George Wallace as their first presidential candidate in 1968. Wallace supported racism and racial segregation during the civil rights movement. He unsuccessfully tried to block the integration of black students into the University of Alabama.

The Socialist Party

Brian Moore, Socialist Party presidential Candidate for 2008, raises his fist in unity, a symbol of the Socialist Party. The goal of the Socialist Party of the United States is to establish a true united democracy where all people own and direct their labor and production through democratically controlled public agencies. The party is against uncontrolled capitalism and competition. The party believes in the ultimate rights of all humans to coexist in a caring, non-competitive environment, an environment controlled by the people, for the people. The party also strives to abolish racism, classism, war and capitalism. Although Moore lost his bid for president, he continues to support humanitarian peace movements in the United States.

The Progressive party

Corrupt political and business practices lead Theodore Roosevelt to establish the Progressive Party in 1912. The party sought a cleaner transparent government with no payoffs or behind the scenes corruption. In 1901, Roosevelt became the 26th president of the United States. His progressive views lead him to dissolve 40 corporate monopolies and he was the first president to suggest universal healthcare. Roosevelt's progressive views changed the nation and instilled citizen confidence in the government.

Theodore Roosevelt dressed in a tie, vest, and jacket, poses for a picture in 1904.

The People's Party

Farming losses and economic crisis in the late 1800s brought about the formation of the short lived People's Party. Corruption and the failure of the Democratic Party to continue supporting farmers, drove the farmers to seek out a new party with a more people oriented platform. The People's Party eventually became the Populist Party and continued to give the farmers a political voice. Thomas Watson, who often spoke on behalf of the poor forgotten farmer, made an unsuccessful run for the presidency in 1904.

Thomas Watson is pictured on a presidential campaign poster.

The American Party

There have been several organizations throughout United States history who called themselves the American Party. Overall, the current American Party has been a very conservative party that maintains the platform of Christian religious leadership. The group is anti-abortion and anti-euthanasia. Returning to the "template of the founding fathers," is one of the organizations catch phrases, however, the party calls for a strong standing military, which is not part of the original founding ideals. The party also overlooks the original idea of separation of church and state, which upholds the rights of United States citizens to be of any religious orientation.

Black Christian cross on a white background.

Anti-Masonic Party

The Masons are a large private fraternal organization based on exclusive membership. The first president of the United States, George Washington, was a member of the Masons, and many presidents thereafter have also been members. The Anti-Masonic Party formed in the early 1800s when a Masonic group was investigated in a murder case. The inconclusive case brought about local suspicions that the Masons would never be tried fairly since it was believed that they monopolized many key political positions. The public began to fear the seemingly Masonic monopoly of power and banded together to stop the Masons. The party drove the Masons into further secrecy.

A side image of a gold Masonic ring, denoting membership in the Masons.